The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Minutes passed and no teacher had yet entered the class. Chit chat and murmurs reigned because of this, and Aeric's ears itched each time he heard Aryanne's or Melina's annoying voices.

The rows upon rows of seats were less down half filled, and this was something Aeric noticed in other Classes as well, which led him to conclude that Eros was still planning on birthing more Daughters.

'Greedy,' Aeric thought.

He leaned back, folding his arms casually as he surveyed the scene. The class was for Divine Quest Studies, the same one he had also missed the other day.

Thankfully, Celestia had promised to let him have her Mirror Ball. He only hoped that she had also recorded whatever they had learnt that day.

She was sitting beside him, quietly organizing her notes that Aeric had noticed were really important to her. He was watching her with a smile on his face and a wobbly feeling in his heart when the sound of heavy boots against the stone floor snapped him out of his thoughts.

Consequently, the room hushed and a woman strode onto the stage with an aura of authority that demanded attention.

Undeniably, she was their teacher.

Aeric lifted a brow as she stood on the center of the stage. She... she was not what Aeric had expected, though he wasn't fully certain of what he had expected.

She was tall and broad-shouldered, and she moved with the grace of a seasoned fighter. She wore this fine armor that had a faint gleam, a long orange cape and a leather corset that mixed practicality with elegance.

She also had pauldrons etched with special Starlight patterns. A long, jagged scar ran down her left cheek, which was a mark of all her battles fought and won. Her dark hair had a streak of silver and was tied back in a tight braid, while her piercing orange eyes seemed to see straight through everyone in the room.

When she spoke, her voice was strong and commanding, with just a hint of warmth beneath the surface. "Hello, Daughters, and Son... It's good you've decided to grace us with your presence today." She gave him a long stare.

Aeric smiled nervously.

"This is Divine Quest Studies," she continued, her words resonating across the hall. "As is common knowledge, this class is not lecture-based. This is a practical course designed to prepare you for the challenges you will face during your Divine Quests."

She had this thing of looking around like a commander speaking to her soldiers as she explained.

"You are not here to listen to stories of heroism," she continued. "You are here to learn the skills that will keep you alive. That is why, after today's basic briefing, we will begin a Mock Dungeon Clearing."

Aeric leaned forward slightly, intrigued. 'Mock Dungeon Clearing.'

Magda gestured to the Dungeon Entrance behind her. "A lot of you have already gone through this. But for the benefit of our new students — the only Son, Aeric of Starlight, Meira of Dawn, and Linnette of Elysium — allow me to explain."

She walked closer towards the Dungeon. "This Mock Dungeon has been carefully crafted to resemble a real one. The architecture, the traps, even the beasts you will face have been constructed using prototypes and Divine energy orbs. It is not as deadly as the real thing, but do not take it lightly. The aim is to simulate a Dungeon's challenges and prepare you for the real deal."

Aeric watched silently with no clear expressions, arms folded once more. 'Although this is useful, it's not really groundbreaking for me, seeing that I've already been inside a real Dungeon,' he thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. 'An irregular one, at that.'

While he sat and listened, a few rows away, his elder sister, Rosette was also seated. But in that moment, her sharp gaze lingered on him, her lips tight and thin, watching him with suspicion. She had clearly noticed how unbothered he looked, and her belief that he was in the Dungeon that day was becoming more and more possible.

First Alzera, and now this. Couldn't be a coincidence.

Lady Magda continued, still with her firm tone. "The rules of the Mock Dungeon are simple. They are the same as the rules of a real Dungeon. Each team will consist of five members, each with a designated role: the Vanguard who defends the team, the Mystic or the Support, the Strategist who is usually the leader or the attacker, the Courier who carries and supplies weapons and tools, and the Ranger who is the primary attacker that dismantles opponents.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Communication and teamwork are essential. Our three newbies will enter the Mock Dungeon today. You will be judged on your ability to work as a team, your efficiency in clearing obstacles, and your overall performance."

Her gaze swept across the room before landing on Aeric. "Son Aeric of Starlight," she called.

He raised an eyebrow, then turned to Celestia with a nod. "I guess I'll see you later, babe," he said, smiling playfully as he stood.

Celestia lowered her head, though a faint blush dusted her cheeks.

Aeric descended the steps toward the stage, steps confident while everyone watched.

Lady Magda then called; "Meira of Dawn, and Linnette of Elysium." The two girls joined him on stage, their expressions a mix of curiosity and determination.

Magda regarded the trio. "The three of you will be sent into the Mock Dungeon in separate teams," she explained. "I will assign your teammates at random, and you will be evaluated individually and as a team."

Aeric raised his hand, drawing her attention. "Question," he said. "Since it's a Mock Dungeon and not the real thing, do we still get XP for clearing lobbies?"

Some of the girls, led by Aryanne, chuckled, but Magda's lips curved into a smile. "A sharp question," she said. "Yes, you will earn XP. However, since this Dungeon is artificial, the XP you earn will be significantly less than what you would gain in a real dungeon."

Aeric nodded, satisfied. 'Fine by me,' he thought. 'As long as I can gain more XP to upgrade my Project Skill.'

Magda turned her attention back to the rest of the students seated in the hall. "Now," she said, her voice cutting through the chatter. "It's time to choose your teammates."